Friday, July 7, 2023

How to Hold a Grudge

Take it in your hand and hold it there

a small rock, a piece of clay

squeeze it for as long as you want

mold it into any shape


Put it in your pocket when you have something else to do

but it will always be there

ready to take out and look at any time you want

you can draw a picture of it

but don't hold it in front of a mirror


Put it on your bed stand at night and let it sit

so you can dream of a world gone wrong

wake in the morning and stare at it

while the birds sing their songs

and think of happy days

before the grudge took it away


Now go to the river's bridge

and bring it in your coat

let it rain

during a rain is even better

a sprinkling rain where your hair gets wet

and your face gets cold

stand at the middle of the bridge and look out over the water

reach into your pocket

feel the stone.

With eyes closed, reach in and grab it.

Bring back your arm like an archer's bow

and hurl it hurl it hurl it

into the deep

as the waves keep crashing

and the water flows on

your pockets will be empty

and you can walk on.